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Inside the mind of Ibsens female Hamlet

Burlesque, tango dancing, circus tricks: all things not commonly associated with Ibsens tragedy Hedda Gableruntil this weekend, that is, when Washington Ensemble Theatre (WET) presents the world premiere of blahblahblahBANG (a pistol fit in one act), a new look at the classic. Using the oldest translation they could find, WET enlisted ensemble member/sound designer/poet Matt Starritt to rewrite it. The new script takes a look at Heddas inner life during her mental decline, and while the story may not have changed, the way its being told has. The show is movement intense, says director Jennifer Zeyl; actors can and do literally run up the walls. The ensemble delivers something like performance art. . . regional theatre wouldnt touch this with a ten-foot pole.